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“YES to a secure electric power supply”

A federal popular initiative in preparation

Media release of the “FDP.Die Liberalen” of the Canton of Zug

(13 December 2021) “FDP.Die Liberalen, Zug” is launching a national popular initiative for a secure electric power supply. The aim is to guarantee that Switzerland will have a self-sufficient electric power supply in line with its load by the year 2050. This means that security of supply must be guaranteed at all times, regardless of trading with other countries. Otherwise, there is a risk of electric power supply shortages, outages, grid damages and enormous economic losses.
No to the Swiss Federal Council’s «counter-proposal»

Organ removal – safeguarding the rights of the individual

The «objection solution» makes people who are unable to oppose the removal of their organs to organ suppliers

Guest commentary by Christoph A. Zenger*

(14 December 2021) Edit. This article appeared in the NZZ on 17 February 2021, before the popular initiative was conditionally withdrawn.
Energy transition

Wind energy – nothing but hot air?

Talking to Ueli Gubler* about the Swiss energy transition

(14 December 2021) Many governments, including that of Switzerland, have decided to minimise CO2 emissions in the country due to the predicted global warming. It is assumed that man-made CO2 emissions are the reason for a predicted rise in the earth’s temperature.1

People’s referendum of 13 February 2022

The new media law will soon go before the people

by Thomas Scherr

(9 December 2021) The “State Media No” committee submitted its referendum against the new media law with over 110,000 signatures at the beginning of October 2021. The Federal Council set the voting date for 13 February 2022 and opened the referendum campaign in the first days of December.

Afghanistan: An infuriating, man-made catastrophe points toward massive suffering for Afghan families

The following is a statement from Dominik Stillhart, the director of operations for the «International Committee of the Red Cross», at the end of a six-day visit to Afghanistan:

(8 December 2021) I am livid. Pictures viewed from afar of bone-thin children rightly elicit gasps of horror. When you're standing in the paediatric ward in Kandahar's largest hospital, looking into the empty eyes of hungry children and the anguished faces of desperate parents, the situation is absolutely infuriating.
Reflections on Events in Afghanistan – 35

Taliban government is steadily consolidating

by M. K. Bhadrakumar*

(9 December 2021) The acknowledgement of “shared interests” with Russia regarding Afghanistan by the new US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West following his discussions in Moscow on November 14 with the Kremlin’s Special Presidential Representative Zamir Kabulov and Security Council’s Deputy Secretary Alexander Venediktov is an important step forward.